How to Reset NPC Hostility in Skyrim: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve accidentally (or perhaps not so accidentally) upset a non-player character (NPC) in Skyrim. Now they’re constantly trying to relieve you of your earthly possessions via pointy objects. Don’t despair, weary traveler! Resetting NPC hostility in Skyrim is often achievable, and this guide will walk you through the various methods, from in-game mechanics to console commands, ensuring you can restore peace to the land (or at least to your immediate vicinity).

The quickest and most direct way to reset NPC hostility is often to sheathe your weapon and yield. If the NPC is a guard, they may initiate dialogue, allowing you to pay your bounty, serve your sentence, or, if you’re a Thane, attempt to use your Thane status to get out of trouble. For non-guard NPCs, yielding might prompt them to stop attacking, especially if the initial offense was minor. However, if yielding doesn’t work, or the offense was severe, you might need to explore other options, including waiting, checking your bounty, or using console commands (PC only).

Understanding Hostility in Skyrim

Before diving into the solutions, it’s essential to understand why an NPC might be hostile. Several factors contribute to aggression:

• Committing Crimes: Stealing, assaulting, or murdering NPCs will obviously make them (and potentially their friends, family, and the local guard) angry.
• Bounties: Having a bounty in a hold will cause guards to attack on sight.
• Faction Affiliations: Certain factions are inherently hostile to each other. Being associated with one faction can trigger aggression from members of a rival faction.
• Bugs and Glitches: Sometimes, NPCs become hostile for no apparent reason due to bugs in the game.

Methods for Resetting Hostility

In-Game Solutions

• Sheathing Your Weapon and Yielding: This is the first thing you should try. Put away your weapon or magic and see if the NPC initiates dialogue.
• Paying Your Bounty or Serving Your Sentence: If guards are hostile, check your bounty. You can do this in the Stats menu of your Journal. Paying the bounty clears your record in that hold. Alternatively, you can choose to go to jail.
• Thane Status: If you’re a Thane of the hold, you can attempt to use your status to avoid arrest. This only works once per hold.
• Waiting: Some players report that waiting a day or two (in-game time) can reset an NPC’s disposition. Find a safe location and simply wait. This can be surprisingly effective, especially for minor offenses.

Console Commands (PC Only)

If in-game solutions fail, PC players can use console commands. Be warned: using console commands can sometimes introduce bugs or unintended consequences, so save your game beforehand!

• tdetect (Toggle AI Detection): Typing tdetect in the console disables the AI’s ability to detect you. This can prevent NPCs from initiating combat. Type it again to re-enable detection.
• setav aggression 0 (Set Aggression to Zero): Open the console, click on the hostile NPC to select them (their RefID will appear), and type setav aggression 0. This sets their aggression level to zero, making them non-hostile.
• resetai (Reset AI): Select the NPC and type resetai to reset their artificial intelligence. This can resolve glitches that cause unwarranted hostility.
• stopcombat (Stop Combat): Select the NPC and type stopcombat. This forces the NPC to cease combat with you.
• forcegreet (Force Greet): Sometimes, an NPC may be stuck in a hostile state and unable to initiate dialogue. Select the NPC and type forcegreet to force them to greet you, potentially allowing you to resolve the issue through dialogue.
• setrelationshiprank player [number] (Set Relationship Rank): This command allows you to adjust your relationship rank with the NPC. A higher number indicates a better relationship. For example, setrelationshiprank player 4 will set your relationship rank to the highest level, making the NPC an ally or friend (if possible). Select the NPC and type the command.

Other Considerations

• Mods: If you’re using mods, especially those that alter NPC behavior or AI, they might be the source of the problem. Try disabling mods one by one to see if that resolves the hostility.
• Quest-Related Hostility: Some NPCs become hostile as part of a questline. Completing the quest might resolve the hostility. Check your quest log and see if the hostile NPC is involved in any active quests.
• Vampirism: If you’re a vampire in the early stages, NPCs might react negatively. Feeding regularly or curing your vampirism can solve this.
• Werewolf Transformations: Transforming into a werewolf in public will definitely trigger hostility. Avoid transforming in populated areas.

It’s crucial to remember that not all hostility can be resolved. Some NPCs are inherently hostile due to their role in the game’s story or their faction affiliation. In those cases, avoiding them might be the best option.

FAQ: Resetting NPC Hostility in Skyrim

Can I reset hostility with essential NPCs?

Yes, the same methods apply to essential NPCs, but be extra cautious when using console commands on them. Messing with their AI could break quests.

What if I accidentally killed an NPC I needed for a quest?

If you’re on PC, you can use the resurrect command. Open the console, click on the dead body, and type resurrect. They will be revived. Make sure to do this with their base ID, not a duplicated copy that can appear.

Will guards ever forget my crimes?

Yes, if you serve your sentence or pay your bounty, the guards in that hold will no longer be hostile. However, they might still remember your crimes in dialogue.

Is there a way to prevent NPCs from reporting crimes I commit?

Yes, joining the Thieves Guild and acquiring the Shadowcloak of Nocturnal will allow you to become invisible while sneaking, making it much harder for NPCs to detect your crimes.

Does changing my appearance at the Face Sculptor get rid of my bounty?

No, changing your appearance does not affect your bounty. The guards will still recognize you.

My follower is randomly attacking me. How do I fix this?

Try dismissing your follower and then re-recruiting them. If that doesn’t work, use the resetai command on them (PC only). Sometimes, a follower’s AI can glitch out. Also check that you have not harmed them directly with an AOE spell or friendly fire.

How do I find the RefID of an NPC for console commands?

Open the console and click on the NPC. Their RefID will appear at the top of the console window.

Can I use console commands on the console versions of Skyrim?

No, console commands are only available on the PC version of Skyrim.

What do I do if an entire town is hostile towards me?

Check your bounty in that hold. If you have a large bounty, paying it or serving your sentence is the best option. Also, consider any recent quests you have taken and whether they might have upset anyone.

Will NPCs become hostile if I’m a werewolf in human form?

No, NPCs will only become hostile if you transform into a werewolf in their presence or if they witness you committing crimes in human form.

How do I stop NPCs from attacking me when I accidentally hit them with a spell?

Sheathe your weapon or magic immediately. If they’re not guards, they might forgive you. If they are guards, you may receive a small fine or a warning.

If I yield to a guard, will they always give me the option to pay my bounty?

Usually, yes. However, if you’ve committed a particularly heinous crime, they might skip straight to arresting you.

Can I make an NPC essential after they die?

Yes, you can use the console command setessential [baseID] 1 to make an NPC essential after they die. First you need to resurrect them.

Are there mods that can help manage NPC hostility?

Yes, there are several mods on sites like NexusMods that offer more control over NPC behavior and hostility. Search for mods related to “NPC AI,” “aggression,” or “relationship management.”

Why is Delphine attacking me?

Delphine, like the Companions, might attack if you have a bounty, even a small one. Getting arrested and clearing your record will often resolve this.

This guide should give you a solid understanding of how to reset NPC hostility in Skyrim. Remember to save your game frequently, especially when experimenting with console commands, and good luck restoring peace to your Skyrim adventure! To learn more about gaming and its impact, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.